THERE BE DRAGONS

CAST: Charlie Cox, Wes Bentley, Dougray Scott, Unax Ugalde,Olga Kurylenko, Pablo Lapadula, Golshifteh Farahani, Rusty Lemorande, Ana Torrent, Alfonso Bassave; DIRECTOR: Roland Joffé; WRITER: Roland Joffé; GENRE: Drama;

RUNNING TIME: 117 minutes

Technical Assessment:  3.5

Moral Assessment:  3.5
Cinema Rating: For viewers 14 years old and above

There be dragons is the story of London-based investigative journalist Robert Torres (Dougray Scott), who visits Spain to research a book about Josemaría Escrivá (Charlie Cox), the controversial founder of Opus Dei. But, Robert hits a wall, both professionally and personally, when his most promising source—his own father, Manolo Torres (Wes Bentley)—turns out to be his least cooperative one. Robert begins to unearth his father’s toxic secrets when he learns that Manolo was not only born in the same Spanish town as Josemaría, but that they were childhood friends and attended the same seminary. The two men take radically different paths in life, with Josemaría dedicating his life to his faith while Manolo is swept into the brutal and tumultuous Spanish Civil War.  Manolo descends into a dangerous and jealous obsession when the beautiful Hungarian revolutionary Ildiko (Olga Kurylenko) doesn’t return his affections and instead gives herself to the courageous military leader, Oriol (Rodrigo Santoro).  As Robert continues to unearth the secrets of Josemaría’s life and Manolo’s mysterious anger, their overlapping journeys are revealed with the truths and sorrows of their past choices, which compels Manolo to confront his own secret with one last opportunity of forgiveness.

With such a star-studded cast and crew, there is no reason There be dragons cannot pull off a memorable film.  It is written and directed by two-time Academy Award-nominee Roland Joffé (The Mission, The Killing Fields, City of Joy) and stars Charlie Cox (Stardust, Casanova), Wes Bentley (American Beauty, Ghost Rider), Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace, Max Payne), Emmy Award-winning actor Derek Jacobi (Gladiator, The Golden Compass), Dougray Scott (Mission Impossible II, Ever After) and Rodrigo Santoro (300, Che).  Its art director is Academy Award-winner Eugenio Zanetti (Restoration, What Dreams May Come), its costume designer is Academy Award®-winner Yvonne Blake (What Dreams May Come), and its makeup designer is Academy Award-winner Michele Burke (Quest for Fire, Dracula).  It is superbly edited by no less than Academy Award-nominee Richard Nord (The Fugitive), and photo-directed by Gabriel Beristain (Caravaggio).  Whew!

In case you are wondering if this is another kung fu movie, take heart.   The title There be dragons is borrowed from the words supposedly found on medieval maps indicating unexplored territory, Hic sunt dracones, which refers to the experiences in life which cause people to suffer and to react in different ways.  Only by acknowledging and dealing with those “dragons”, director Joffé suggests, can we escape the cycle of vengeance and dehumanization which so marked the twentieth century and still marks today’s world.  Says Joffé: “I think that’s what Josemaría was teaching, again and again, to people going through anguishing experiences: to connect to the humanity not only of those who are suffering but also of those who are causing them to suffer.  But just in case the mention of “Josemaria Escriva” scares you away, know that this is not a movie to proselytize its audience.  It is a polished work of art, a professionally crafted epic tale of revolutionaries and saints in a time of civil war; a story of love and heroism amid jealousy, hatred and violence; and a heartbreaking drama about the power of forgiveness to break the chains of the past. 

     

IN TIME

CAST:Amanda Seyfried, Justin Timberlake, Johnny Galecki, Matt Bomer, Olivia Wilde, Vincent Kartheiser;DIRECTOR:Andrew Niccol;WRITER:Andrew Niccol;FILM PRODUCER:Amy Israel, Eric Newman, Kristel Laiblin, Marc Abraham;GENRE:Crime/Gangster / Sci-fi / Thriller;RUNNING TIME:110 minutes

Technical Assessment:  3.5
Moral Assessment:  2.5
Cinema Rating: For viewers 14 years old and above

It is 2061.  People have been genetically altered to stop aging at 25 and then to live one more year.  Unless they can trade—buy or sell, spend or earn—the time they have left to live, they will be timed off at age 26.  Time is their only currency; they pay for daily needs with the time they have; and they earn time as payment for their work.  One could die betting his entire time in a casino; one could also win a thousand years or more by gambling.  Twenty-eight year-old Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) lives an ordinary hand-to-mouth existence with his mother Rachel Salas (Olivia Wilde) in the ghetto where people die everyday for lack of opportunities to extend their life.  One night Will saves the life of a 105-year old rich man Henry Hamilton (Matt Bomer) who is tired of living anyway and so transfers his remaining 106 years to Will while he’s asleep.  With over a century to spend, Will decides to see how the rich in another time zone live.  There he beats the casino dealer, the 95-year-old time-lending businessman Philippe Weis (Vincent Kartheiser), father of 27-year-old Sylvia Weis (Amanda Seyfried), and there starts a mad gamble for time.

It is an intriguing premise that In Time offers, teasing the imagination to create scenarios of immortality.  There may be many loopholes in the filming but these are more than compensated by the fascinating ideas peddled by writer-director Andrew Niccol.  It is engaging, to say the least, as one possibility follows another in the ways time is used as currency.  The time that remains of a person’s life is measured in 13 digits representing years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds that flash like a luminous digital clock on the forearm.  For instance, a bus ride could cost you two hours; a cup of coffee, four hours; a fancy car, 59 years, and so on.  But you could live to a million years if you’re a shrewd time-lender like Weis, or a ruthless robber who at gunpoint steal time from people.  How does time pass hands?  Simply by arm-to-arm contact.  Your life practically ticks away by the second; once you reach 13 zeroes, you’re gone.

This is sci-fi that you can take seriously for the subject matter is not science per se but mortality and the human desire to be immortal.  The message is underscored in the dialogue between ghetto boy Will Salas and the centenarian from the opulent side of the fence Henry Hamilton.  What would you do if you were in Hamilton’s shoes?  Is it all right to give your time to time-thieves if you think you’ve seen it all and wouldn’t want to live longer?  Is it okay to rob the rich in order to give to the poor?  If you had the choice would you want to live forever?  The most profound character in In Time,Henry Hamilton, says in effect: “There comes time when you tell yourself it’s enough… your body doesn’t age (he’s been 25 for 80 years) but your mind does, and that’s tiring… everybody wants to be immortal but to be immortal you must die…”  In Timewill fascinate young and old alike but you’ll get the full benefit if you close your eyes to its flaws and stay sober  while enjoying it.

Haunted 3D

CAST:Krishna Bhatt, Mimoh Chakraborty, Twinkle Bajpai;DIRECTOR:Vikram Bhatt
GENRE: Horror;LOCATION: Malaysia;RUNNING TIME:140 minutes

Technical Assessment:  3
Moral Assessment:  3
Cinema Rating: For viewers 14 years old and above

Rehan (Mimoh Charaborty), an  MBA graduate of Harvard University, is sent by his Dad to negotiate for the sale of the family-acquired property. It is a  century old house called Glen Manor. On his arrival at the site, he learns about the series of mysterious deaths of which the people associate with presence of evil spirits in the old house. When he experiences strange happenings in the house  by himself, he thinks it is smart to give what people say about the house the benefit of the doubt. He starts to trace back the real story about the house. He finds out through a mysterious letter written by a certain Meera (Twinkle Bajpal) about the incidents in the house 80 years ago. Further, he learns from a strange guy that the mysterious screams and evil happenings are caused by two spirits ---  the evil one who imprisoned the other spirit in the house. The house can only be freed from haunting if the link between the two spirit will be unlocked.

 "Haunted 3D" has an interesting storyline out of creative imagination of linking past to the present. The subplots provide continuity to connect the elements of time, risks and love interest. The production design created a good setting for the overall theme of the film. The musical score and camera angles and effects are commendable. Whilst sound effects effectively established scary and suspense in the scenes, it is a bit loud and the screams can be annoying at some point. The good story and effects saved the weakness in the acting. Somehow the director can be credited in transforming the lead actors into lovable characters. Overall, the film Haunted 3D can keep the viewer hooked for its entire run of over two hours.

The film is about courage to know the truth out of a mystery, decision to take the risk, saving life and spirit, recognizing the supreme power of God over evil, putting heart in what you do, falling in love and sacrificing. The lead character shows both courage and humility when he takes the risk of journeying toward unlocking the mystery at the same time seeking advice from people whom he thought can help. Although the story is obviously a fiction, the film offers lessons inspired by positive values. However, the 2-hour run can be stressful for young viewers. 

ASWANG

CAST: Lovi Poe, Paulo Avelino, Albie Casino, Juliane Ward, Bembol Roco, Precious Lara Quigaman, Mark Abaya ;DIRECTOR: Jerrold Tarog; STORY AND SCREENPLAY: Jerrold Tarog, Aloy Adlawan;PRODUCER: Regal Films;GENRE: Horror; LOCATION: Manila, Pampanga; RUNNING TIME: 110 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3

Moral Assessment: 2.5

Cinema Rating: For viewers 14 years old and above

Si Daniel (Paulo Avelino) ay isang hired killer na kasamang inutusang patayin ang isang pamilya. Ngunit hahayaan niyang makatakas and dalawang batang anak (Albie Casino at Julianne Ward)  ng kanilang pinaslang. Dahil dito’y kakailanganin nilang hanapin at sundan ang dalawang bata. Mapapadpad ang dalawang bata sa isang probinsiya na pinamamahayan pala ng mga nakakatakot na aswang na kung tawagin ay Ab-wak. Ang isa sa mga uri nila na si Hasmin (Lovi Poe) ay may kabutihang taglay at hindi na niya nais pa ang ginagawa ng mga uri nila. Ipagtatanggol niya ang dalawang bata at ililigtas sa kapahamakan at kalaunan ay makikilala din niya si Daniel at kapwa sila mabibighani sa isa’t-isa. Ngunit nasa panganib ang buhay nilang lahat dahil si Hasmin ay nakatakda nang ipakasal sa nuno ng mga aswang upang higit pang mapalakas ang pwersa ng kanilang lahi. Makatakas pa kaya silang lahat gayong higit ang kapangyarihan nito kaysa mga tao?

Isang pelikulang naglayong magpakita ng maraming elemento at aspeto ng buhay ang pelikulang Aswang. Nagawa nitong ilahad ang sanga-sangang kuwento ng iba’t-ibang tauhan. Malinis sa kabuuan ng pelikula lalo na kung ang pagututuunan ng pansin ay ang kuha ng kamera at special effects. Naging kapani-paniwala ang lahat dahil masusi nitong iningatan ang maraming detalye. Mahusay din ang tunog at musika. Ang mga nagsiganap ay pawang magagaling din. Simple ang kanilang naging atake sa pag-arte upang mapalutang ang daloy ng kuwento. Nagkulang lang marahil ang pelikula sa pananakot. Para sa isang pelikulang katakutan, hindi gaanong makapanindig balahibo ang mga eksena sa pelikula. Ngunit ang pinakamahalaga’y naghain naman ito ng isang bagong kwentong aswang.

Ang aswang sa pelikula ay hindi lamang ang mga aswang na nilalang kundi pati na rin ang mga taong parang  o daig pa ang aswang kung pumatay ng kapwa-tao. Hindi tuloy malaman ng mga manonood kung kanino ba tataya…sa mga halimaw ba na nangangain ng tao o sa mga mamamatay-tao? Pinalabas ng pelikula na kung tutuusin ay mas may pusong tao pa ang mga halimaw kaysa sa mga tao kung minsan. Sa ipinakitang kabutihan ni Hasmin sa kabila ng kanyang pagiging aswang ay maaring maging insipirasyon sa sinumang nag-aakalang ang kanilang kasalanan ay walang kapatawaran at hindi na sila maaring magbago ng buhay. Ang pagbabagong-buhay ang siyang hinahangad ng dalawang pangunahing tauhan. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng pangyayari sa pelikula, natupad kaya nila ito? Paano paninindigan ng mga aswang na maari silang mabuhay ng walang sinasaktan o pinapatay kung ito ang natural sa lahi nila? Napahamak si Daniel sa paglalagay ng batas sa kanyang mga kamay ngunit hindi malinaw at maigting na makikita ang  kanyang pagsisisi bagama’t basa sa kanyang mga mata na di niya nais ang kanyang ginagawa. Ganun din si Hasmin na naninindigang hindi siya magkakalat ng lagim. Nanatiling dalisay ang kanilang hangarin ngunit hindi maitatangging ginamit pa rin nila ang kani-kanilang kapangyarihang itim upang puksain ang mga kaaway. Sa bandang huli, sila’y pawang mga bayani pa ng mga bata sa pelikula. Nakababahala ito ng bahagya at nararapat na maipaliwanag sa mga batang manonood.

I don't know how she does it

CAST: Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Munn, Seth Meyers, Kelsey Grammer, Christina Hendricks, Jane Curtin;DIRECTOR:Douglas McGrath;Writer:Aline Brosh McKenna;GENRE:Comedy;RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes

Moral assessment: 3.5
Technical assessment: 3
Rating: Viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance

Kate is a successful finance executive who haggles time between career and family and survives it to the amazement of people around her. A partnership with New York based businessman Jack makes her career shines even more and signals no stopping for her. But the job that requires her to do quick frequent travels always compromises her promises to her children particularly with her seven year old daughter. Good for her that her understanding husband Richard is always at a rescue to make up for her. How long can this set-up work?

A novel adaptation, 'I Don't Know How She Does It' offers an unconventional story of a woman who is constantly in cramming mode but well-loved by family and admired by colleagues. The character of Jack is a big twist in a rather predictable story. It adds spice when viewers wonder whether the business partnership will mutually go beyond. The interview and narration inserts help in understanding the characters. At some point the editing struggles to establish the with of settings in Boston and in New York. But acting is good and so are the musical scoring. The film has good cinematography and compositions. 

The reason why Kate can do things in her plate is because she is a woman who is typically dedicated to her family and providing for them. But most of all she has supportive people around her. It appears that everybody loves her except herself. The tolerance of the husband is commendable. Burn out is a tendency for very busy people. The family is a blessing and therefore should not be a source of setback rather an inspiration for a person to move forward. At the time of confusion, the support of the family is important.

Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa

CAST: Jean Garcia, Rocco Nacino, Paulo Avelino DIRECTOR: Alvin Yapan.  SCREENPLAY: Alvin Yapan; GENRE: Drama; LOCATION: Manila; RUNNING TIME:100 minutes

Technical Assessment: 4

Moral Assessment: 2.5

Rating: For Viewers 14 years and above

Si Marlon (Paulo Avelino) ay may lihim na pagtingin sa kanyang guro sa Literatura na si Karen (Jean Garcia). Nang minsang subukin niya ito, malalaman niyang si Karen pala ay nagtuturo rin ng sayaw sa isang maliit na dance studio. Sa kagustuhang mapansin ng kanyang guro (na hindi niya magawa sa klase dahil hindi niya lubos na nauunawaan ang mga pinag-uusapang tula sa klase), maiisipan niyang mag-enroll sa dance class ni Karen. Ngunit upang makapag-pakitang gilas pa, magpapaturo muna siya sa kaklaseng si Dennis (Rocco Nacino) na nagtatrabaho naman kay Karen bilang assistant choreographer. Dito magsisimulang mabuo ang masalimuot na relasyon ng tatlo sa saliw ng sining ng tula, musika at sayaw.

Isang matapang na produksiyon ang Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa sa pagsusubok nito na isapelikula at pag-isahin ang iba’t-ibang sining upang makabuo ng obra na tatangkilin ng masang manonood. Sa simula’y tila dinadala ang manonood sa silid-aralan upang aralin at pag-usapan ang layon at anumang nais ipahiwatig ng iba’t-ibang tula na hango sa mga panulat ng ilang kilalang babaeng makata. Matagumpay na naihatid ng pelikula ang mensahe, gaano man ito kalalim at ka-komplikado. Simple ang kuwento ngunit pinaigting ito ng pag-iisang dibdib ng tula, sayaw at arte. Lumutang din ang husay ng mga tauhan na bagama’t bilang ang dayalogo ay mas marami namang sinabi ang mga mata nila at galaw. Dahil sa kanilang kahusayan, naiparating ang mensahe sa gitna ng mga patlang at katahimikan. Sa pagnanais nitong pasayawin sa indayog ng kuwento ang mga manonood, nagawa nitong dalhin sila sa direksiyon na kung saan hindi lamang basta manonood ang mga manonood kundi mapag-iisip din.

Sa kabila ng masining na pagkakagawa ng pelikula ay hindi maitatangging ang kalakip na mensahe nito ay ang pagsasabing ang sining ay likas na “amoral” o walang kinikilalang moral o imoral. Nakatutok ito sa estitiko, sa emosyon at hindi naka-angkla sa kung ano pa mang pagpapahalaga bukod sa pagpapahalaga sa kinikilala nilang “sining”. Ngunit maari pa ring maituring na katanggap-tanggap ang pelikula dahil nagawa nitong ihain ang mensahe ng hindi kinikiliti ang sensibilidad ng manonood. Hindi rin nito minamaliit ang lawak ng pang-unawa ng madla. Hindi ito nagpakita ng anumang kalaswaan sa kabila ng tema ng sekswalidad na ninais nitong talakayin. Hindi rin pinalangoy ng pelikula sa pagkakasala ang mga tauhan, bagkus, ang mga ito’y ginawa pa ring mga tauhang nag-iisip, marunong magnilay at tulad sa tunay na buhay, itinatawid ang mga suliranin at sumasayaw ng naaayon sa tugtugin. Kung minsa’y kontra-tiyempo, ngunit nagagawa pa ring itama ang mali. Binigyang dignidad ng pelikula ang karangalan ng isang guro, pati na rin ng mga makata, mga artista at mga mananayaw…sayang nga lang at hindi malinaw ang lugar ng Diyos na siyang tunay na may likha ng lahat ng sining at Siyang nagbibigay ng talento na nararapat lamang gamitin sa kabutihan at sa ikakalaganap ng Kanyang pagmamahal.

The Three Musketeers

CAST: Logan Leman, Mila Jovovich, Matthew Macfadyen, Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans, Christopher Walz, Orlando Bloom; DIRECTOR: Paul W.S. Anderson; SCREENPLAY: Andrew Davies, Alex Litvak; Based on The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas pere; EDITING:  Alexander Berner; PRODUCER: Paul W.S. Anderson, etc.; MUSIC: Paul Haslinger; GENRE: Action-Adventure; DISTRIBUTOR: Constantin Film, Summit Entertainment; LOCATION: France; RUNNING TIME: 110 minutes

Technical Assessment:  2.5

Moral Assessment     :   3

Cinema Rating          :   For viewers 14 years old.

This is another big screen adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas pere’s historical novel of The Three Musketeers with some twists here and there to make the plot more family-oriented. Like the novel, the film version follows D’Artagnan (Logan Lerman) travel to Paris to become of the Musketeers like his father. He is a well-trained fighter but is hot-headed and aggressive often ending up at the end of his opponent’s sword. On his first day in Paris, he manages to almost get killed by the Cardinal’s guards, gets into petty fights with the Athos (Macfadyen), Porthos (Stevenson) and Aramis (Evans) and challenges each to a duel at midday. But when the Cardinal’s guards come to arrest the Musketeers, the 4 come together and defeat all 40 of them. D’Artagnan is invited into the Musketeer’s homes and learns that life has become dull and boring for the 3 since they no longer have a cause to be passionate about. Meanwhile Cardinal Richelieu has taken control over France because King Louis XIII (Fox) is far too immature and inexperienced to lead France seriously.  Later, the Musketeers and D’Artagnan find their respective causes when they are tapped by the Queen’s maid-in-waiting to retrieve a diamond necklace from Lord Buckingham (Bloom) to avert the Cardinal’s plan to tarnish the Queen’s reputation and launch a war between France and England.

The story tries to be faithful to the novel and cleverly adds the right twist to make the plot more palatable to the younger audiences. The costumes and set design are outrageously impressive. There was an attempt to update the dialogue but it didn’t really quite have enough wit and bite to be funny and memorable. The characters and their acting feel caricaturist and theatrical. The battle and fight scenes are lame and tedious. There is no excitement either in the choreography or the shots or the over-all direction of the scene. The special effects were done to impress rather than to deliver a point. As a whole, the movie which had enough promise and potential did not really get there and failed to be engaging to its audience.

The good news is the movie has very little disturbing scenes, save for the inevitable swordfights, some crass language and the musketeer’s love for liquor. It briefly talks about honor, valor, friendship and loyalty to the crown but does deliver a clear message. Even the famous “All for one and one for all” battlecry has been lost. Although some might find the role of the Church against the monarchy a bit disturbing, especially since the real-life Cardinal Richelieu did play a controversial role during the time of King Louis XIII, is still presented as fiction and should not be taken any more than a twist in the story. The move has no valuable message to take home but neither does it have any objectionable one. As long as viewers are clear that they are watching fiction, mature teenagers can handle both the material and the treatment but the younger ones should be guided by their parents.

REAL STEEL

CAST:Hugh Jackman (Charlie Kenton), Dakota Goyo (Max), Evangeline Lilly (Bailey Tallet), and Anthony Mackie (Finn);DIRECTOR: Shawn Levy;SCREENWRITER:John Gatins;PRODUCER:Stephen Spielberg;EDITOR:MUSICAL DIRECTOR;GENRE:Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy;CINEMATOGRAPHER     DISTRIBUTOR:Dream works Pictures & Touchstone Pictures;LOCATION:USA;

RUNNING TIME:230minutes  

Technical Assessment: 4

Moral Assessment: 3

Cinema Rating: For viewers 13 years old and below with parental guidance       

Real Steel is based on the 1956 short story “Steel” by Richard Matheson and center on the father and son story of Charlie (Hugh Jackman) and Max (Dakota Goyo). It is 2020 and boxing has now become a sport between mechanically controlled robots instead of real people. Charlie, a retired boxer,  is being chased left and right by his loan shark creditors while his son Max, must spend the summer with him for the first time after his ex-girl and Max’s mother dies. Charlie makes one attempt after another to win a match and make some money to pay off his creditors,  however his arrogance and lack of foresight lead him to bigger debts and trouble. Now,  Charlie must struggle to make some decent living and build a non-existent relationship with his 11 year old son before his past catches up with him.

Real Steel is a delight to watch with enough high-tech gadgets amidst the grit and ruthlessness of real life.  The story is well meaning and well told. One cannot help but be caught with Charlie’s constant attempt to be the person he ought to be and his unspoken desire to be a better father. Jackman and Goy’s chemistry is as explosive as the fight scenes and manage to capture the sympathy of their audience.  The CGIs and post-prod techniques are amazingly realistic and truthful. For a few minutes, the movie successfully transports the viewers to another time which is for more advance technologically but as dramatic as any other time. Overall, the movie is visually enjoyable and worth watching.

A world of robot and underground combat  teamed up with gambling and illegal betting naturally spells violence. Now, thrown in an 11-year old kid who shockingly adapts so easily with that kind of world makes the situation a little more unsettling. For this matter, Real Steel is not a suitable movie for young audiences.

However, there are little bits of lessons of life through here and there that could be picked up by adults and children alike. For one, the unmistakable love between father and son and their struggle to build a relationship is touching. Second, the movie beautifully shows how the power of love can transform the  a hardest heart to make him want to be a better man. And last, hope and determination is amidst struggles and failures are emphasized in the father and son journey to win a fight.

Apollo 18

CAST:  Warren Christie (Lunar Module Pilot Captain Benjamin "Ben" Anderson), Lloyd Owen (Commander Nathan “Nate” Walker), Ryan Robbins (Command Module Pilot Lieutenant Colonel John Grey); DIRECTOR: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego; SCREENWRITER:Brian Miller, Cory Goodman;FILM PRODUCER: Ron Schmidt, Timur Bekmambetov;GENRE:Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror;CINEMATOGRAPHER DISTRIBUTOR;Weinstein Company;LOCATION:Vancouver, Canada; RUNNING TIME:96 minutes

Technical Assessment: 2.5

Moral Assessment: 1.5

Cinema Rating: For viewers 18 years old and above     

The film says that there were actually 18 Apollo missions to the moon although the US government declared only 17. The video footage of Apollo 18 surfaced on the Internet and the film is said to be its edited version. Astronauts Benjamin Anderson (Warren Christie) and Nathan Walker (Lloyd Owen) were the ones sent by the US Department of Defense to the mission. What is supposedly a routine scientific exploration turns out to be a revelation of something unknown and dangerous as they start to discover mysterious entities on the surface.

Apollo 18 is an attempt to revive the glory of the found-footage-horror genre in the tradition of the box office success of The Blair Witch Project. However, Apollo 18 fails in one important respect – making the audience believe that the entire film is taken from an actual footage and that the video footage is for real. The moment the film loses the audience’s suspension of disbelief, it loses its audience entirely. From the dragging beginning wherein nothing’s really going-on but the audience only sees a glimpse of the astronauts’ life, to the supposedly horrific ending that turns out to be more laughable than horrifying, The audience is made to watch characters whom they won’t really care about. Apollo 18 failed as a mission and it fails as a film as well.  

The message of the film is even ambiguous. At one point, it simply tries to expose a US government anomaly, then it shows how a man turns into a beast for survival. The “what’s going on?” question turns into “what does the movie really want to say?” As an expose, it failed to reveal much and investigate further. Making the entire look of the film more fictional than real. Again, the moment they fail to sustain the audience’s suspension of disbelief, they lost whatever point they want to convey. But looking at the film as a fiction, it does not say anything much except the moral dilemma faced by the characters and theUS government whether to keep them alive or not despite their acquired infection. Can a person’s right to life be sacrificed for the sake of national welfare and safety? In the same light, is it acceptable for the government to conceal information that would reflect badly on them? The film posed more questions than answers given its questionable credibility that is ruined by improper handling of the genre. But then, the answers to the questions are still worth pondering.

DREAM HOUSE

CAST: Daniel Craig (Will Attenton), Rachel Weisz (Libby), Naomi Watts, Elias, Koteas, Marton Csokas;DIRECTOR:Jim Sheridan;SCREENWRITER:  Jim Sheridan PRODUCER: Morgan Creek;EDITOR:  MUSICAL DIRECTOR;GENRE:Drama, Mystery, Thriller;CINEMATOGRAPHER: Caleb Deschanel;DISTRIBUTOR: Universal Studio;LOCATION: USA ; RUNNING TIME:  92 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3

Moral Assessment: 1.5

Cinema Rating: For viewers 18 years old and above     

Will Attenton (Daniel Craig) decides to give-up his high-paying job so he can finally settle down and spend more time with his wife, Libby (Rachel Weisz) and two young daughters. They just recently moved into what Will would call, a dream house in suburb New England. Everything is blissful until the kids and Libby start to see and feel that something is wrong in the house. Will and Libby later on discover that their house is a site of murder wherein a man named Peter Ward killed his wife and two daughters. As Will investigates further, he will become more wary to learn that Peter Ward is still and already on the loose. For fear that his family might be the next target, Will does further investigation to locate Peter Ward, only to discover the truth that would be difficult for him to accept and handle.

Dream House boosts a powerful cast of good thespians who are able to pull off whatever it is that’s lacking in the film’s narrative. The audience is able to engage in the story more so because of the actors’ acting. The film has a strong beginning, however, when it revealed the greatest twist in the story, it never moved on to more interesting directions and possibilities. The story has nothing much to offer anymore after the said revelation.  The scare never climaxes and the suspense becomes less thrilling. If one scrutinizes the plot, there are many loopholes in the logic of the thread.  Much craft is seen though more on the film’s cinematography, music and sound that blend well. Then again, the audience will always look into the story. Dream House could’ve been great given the genius behind the film. Perhaps, they should think of a more intelligent plot after the twist and switch of fate is over.

The film dwells on one’s miseries with the distress he has gone though in life. Dream House  is about a man who tries to move on only to find out that the very root of his problem is the fact that he has not moved on. There is a lot of genius in this premise only that the same point blurs somewhere in the story when it fails to convince how things came about. Will believed in his own ghosts that he is able to create and re-create a ghost-reality. But then, faith is not seen in such hallucinations, it only furthers the works of the devil. It seems, justice is elusive in such innocent lives and innocent victims in the story. Why such a horror would happen to a nearly-perfect family living in a dream house? Perhaps the film is also saying that bad things really happen to good people. It will be apparent towards the film’s end that somehow, justice is served to those who deserved to be punished. Some scenes of violence may not fit the very young audience.

Dolphin Tale in 3D

CAST:  Harry Connick Jr. (Dr. Clay Haskett), Ashley Judd (Loraine Nelson) Kris Kristofferson (Reed Hasket), Nathan Gamble (Sawyer Nelson), Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Austin Stowell (Kyle), Morgan Freeman (Dr. Cameron);DIRECTOR:Charles Martin Smith;FILM PRODUCER: Andrew A. Kosove, Broderick Johnson, Richard Ingber;SCREENWRITER: Karen Janszen;EDITOR:MUSICAL DIRECTOR;GENRE:Drama, Kids & Family;CINEMATOGRAPHER DISTRIBUTOR: Warner Bros. Pictures;LOCATION: USA;RUNNING TIME: 113 minutes  

Technical Assessment: 3.5

Moral Assessment: 4

Cinema Rating: For viewers 13 years old and below with parental guidance

SYPNOSIS: Dolphin Tale is inspired by the amazing true story of a brave dolphin and the compassionate strangers who banded together to save her life. Swimming free, a young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, severely damaging her tail. She is rescued and transported to the Clearwater Marine Hospital, where she is named Winter. But her fight for survival has just begun. Without a tail, Winter's prognosis is dire. It will take the expertise of a dedicated marine biologist, the ingenuity of a brilliant prosthetics doctor, and the unwavering devotion of a young boy to bring about a groundbreaking miracle-a miracle that might not only save Winter but could also help scores of people around the world.

No Other Woman

CAST: Kristine Reyes, Derek Ramsey, Anne Curtis DIRECTOR: Ruel Bayani; GENRE: drama; DISTRIBUTOR: Viva, Star Cinema; LOCATION: Philippines; RUNNING TIME :110 minutes  

Technical Assessment: 3

Moral Assessment: 3

Cinema Rating: For viewers 18 years old and above

Isang furniture designer-producer si Ram (Derek Ramsay), tapat sa asawang si Sharmaine (Cristine Reyes) at gustong mamuhay nang maayos para sa kinabukasan ng kanilang magiging pamilya.  Sa panahong iniaalok niya ang kanyang mga disenyo upang makuha ang kontrata mula sa Costa Luz beach resort, makikilala niya si Cara (Anne Curtis), anak ng may-ari, si Mr. Zalderiaga.  Matitipuan siya ni Cara at hindi siya tatantanan hanggang hindi bumibigay ang kanyang pagkalalaki dito.  Paglalabanan ni Ram ang kariktan ni Cara, ngunit mapilit ang babae, at sasabihing wala siyang tangkang umibig sa lalaki—o ibigin nito.  Sa paningin ni Cara, isa siyang “liberated woman” na nakukuha ang anumang gustuhin niya.  Bagama’t mahal ni Ram ang maybahay niyang si Sharmaine, madadarang din ito sa init ni Cara.  Matutuklasan ni Sharmaine ang nangyayari, ngunit tigas nang tatanggi si Cara na mawala sa kanya si Ram.  Umiibig na siya, saw akas—amin ni Cara sa kanyang matatalik na kaibigan—at ipaglalaban niya ang karapatan niyang umibig.

Nakakagulat na napakaraming tao ang gustong manood ng No Other Woman—sa unang araw ng labas nito, puno ang isang sinihan sa Makati na karaniwan namang hindi naglalabas ng pelikulang Pilipino.  Nang magtanong kami, yon pala’y dahil sa pag-aakalang mas marami itong naglalagablab na eksena kaysa My Neighbor’s Wife.  Ngunit lalong higit sa maiinit na eksena, ang dialogue ang nagdadala ng kuwento sa No Other Woman.  Makatapos naming mapanood ito, naisip namin: para lang kaming nanood ng isang TV drama sa higanteng screen.  Pero narinig namin mula sa isang nanood, “Parang Korean telenobela na pinagkasya sa dalawang oras.”  (Hindi kami maka-sang-ayon pagkat hindi kami mahilig manood ng Korean telenovela).  May kuwentong maayos at madaling sundan ito, pero nilagyan ng subplots na hindi naman pinakitaan ng resolusyon sa dulo.  Kakaunti ang mga tauhan, at halos ay nakatutok ang kamera sa maliit nilang mundo.  Magaling ang pagganap ng mga pangunahing artista, ayon sa hinihingi ng kuwento, bagama’t hindi naman gasinong mabigat ang hinihingi ng mga papel nila.  Minsan, pagka’t masasabi mo na humigit-kumulang ang magiging katapusan ng kuwento dahil sa takbo ng usapan ng mga tauhan, ang pansin mo ay maaagaw ng nakikita mo, ang ibinibilad na katawan ng mga artista, lalol na ni Curtis, ang magandang karagatan, magarang mga kuwarto, atbp.   

Ang pinakamabuting parte ng No Other Woman ay ang pagtataguyod nito sa kasagraduhan ng pag-aasawahan.  Malinaw at matuwid ang katapusan.  Ipinapakita rin nito ang katotohanan na pighati ang ibinubunga ng kapalaluan at katigasan ng ulo.  Palalo si Cara sa pag-aakalang kayang-kaya niyang kontrolin ang sarili—ngunit hindi ito kinunsinti ng kuwento.  Naging mahina din si Ram, subalit ipinamalas din ng pelikula ang mapait na ibinubunga nito na maaaring kumitil sa anumang kabutihang nasa buhay na niya.  Maliwanag na sinasalamin ng pelikula ang halaga ng pagharap sa sariling kamalian, ang paghingi ng kapatawaran, at ang nararapat na pagpapatawad.  Pagkamatuwid ang nananaig sa lahat, na siya lamang karapat-dapat ayon sa batas ng kalikasan, ng tao at ng Dios.  Makabubuting panoorin ito ng mga mag-asawa o ng mga taong gusto nang mag-asawa, at nang mapag-usapan ang mga maseselang bagay na humahadlang sa tagumpay at ligaya ng pag-aasawa.  May matututuhan din dito ang mga babaeng "Cara" sa ating paligid.  Sige, maging pasaway kayo, pero hindi ninyo masasabing hindi kayo binalaan ng No Other Woman.

Friends with Benefits

CAST: Justin Timberlake (Dylan), Mila Kunis (Jamie), Patricia Clarkson (Lorna), Jenna Elfman (Annie), Bryan Greenberg (Parker), Richard Jenkins (Mr. Harper), Woody Harrelson (Tommy) and Emma Stone (Kayla);DIRECTOR: Will Gluck;SCREENWRITER: Keith Merryman, David A. Newman ;PRODUCER: Mr. Gluck, Martin Shafer, Liz Glotzer, Jerry Zucker and Janet Zucker ;EDITOR: Tia Nolan  MUSICAL DIRECTOR ;GENRE: Romantic Comedy;CINEMATOGRAPHER: Michael Grady;DISTRIBUTOR: Screen Gems  

LOCATION: New York & Los Angeles, USA; RUNNING TIME:  107 minutes 

Technical Assessment: 3.5

Moral Assessment: 2                     

Cinema Rating: For viewers 18 years old and above

The movie tries to place a contemporary spin on an old “boy meets girl-loves girl but doesn’t know it” plot with sex in the equation. It follows how best friends Jamie (Mila Kunis), the emotional wreck, and Dylan(Justin Timberlake), the emotionally unavailable, decide one night that they can push their friendship a little further without having to worry about the emotional entanglement that comes after. So after some time of sexual trysts, their friendship deepens until… bam …they fall in love but refuse to admit it to themselves, much more to each other. So, their friendship is tested, they part ways and realize they can’t live without each other. Of course, as any other romantic comedies, in the end the boy gets the girl. (So much for not wanting to do another romantic cliché.)

           

Let’s look at the movie as a romantic comedy. Was it funny? At times.  Was  it romantic? A little? Was it a genius? No. And here’s why. The plot is tired formula. You immediately knew where it will go, how it will end and how it will get there. Even the dad suffering from Alzheimer’s or the gay friend who served as triggers for Dylan to reflect and realize his feelings is absolutely pathetic. The comedy was mostly derived from the awkwardness of the sex scenes, which have elicited more frowns and disgust than chuckles.  The effort to give an old plot a fresh approach failed because save for the awkwardness of the premise, the movie had nothing more to offer.

Technically, Friends with benefits is acceptable.  The acting was passable, although Kunis exerted more effort than Timberlake who probably thinks that baring his butt makes up for his shallowness. Their chemistry, however, was good and believable. The scoring was cute and made up for the lack of emotional sympathy of the scenes. Overall, this is not one of those romantic comedies you’d like to watch with a significant other.

The greatest problem this movie poses is its very understanding of sex as merely an emotional consummation of a romantic relationship. It is enough to have gone 5 dates with a guy so that sleeping with him becomes acceptable.  It is simply a physical need, like hunger or sleep, which needs to be addressed. It never mentions commitment and responsibility as part of it.   As the movie title implies, SEX is just a BENEFIT that comes with having a boyfriend/girlfriend,instead of being an intimate act between two people within the confines of a perpetual vow to love each other exclusively.

The sexual cannot be without emotional and spiritual attachment for the partner because this is when you bare yourself and your soul to someone whom you trust and who will accept you for who you are. That is why it should be exclusively for mature adults who are willing to commit to marriage.

Even the end scene failed to redeem the convoluted morals of the story as we see Dylan and Jamie passionately trying to get under each other’s clothes in public.

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS should be for discerning adults who have mature consciences so that they can clearly distinguish between being genuinely funny and being contemptible.